I have been dying to share this recipe with you! For about a year. I actually share it all the time, but now it will be nice to have it all written and in one place for everyone. I was introduced to this delicious concoction back when the hubs and I completed a 30-day cleanse. It was all sorts of intense and most everything we had to drink was yucky. Looking back, it’s hard to believe we really made it the entire 30 days. We cleansed our liver, colon, and kidneys.
The portion of the cleanse that we drank this was during weeks 2 & 4. This was the “Kidney Flush Drink”. It was the only decent tasting aspect of the entire cleanse. We drank it every morning for both of the weeks. It wasn’t too long into it that we realized that we liked it so much that we would probably continue to drink it even after the cleanse was over. Since then (January 2013) we’ve incorporated this drink into our daily routine. We make 4 quarts a day, two each for my husband and I. If you struggle with getting your water down (which is extremely important) this is the perfect way to help get you through the day.
Ingredients
- 1 large lemon -or-
- 2 small limes
- 1 tsp. maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp. Stevia powder
- 7-10 drops liquid cayenne
- 32 oz. water
Instructions
-
Squeeze juice from your citrus of choice into quart jar. Add remaining ingredients. Mix together. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
You can also use liquid stevia. We like the NOW Better Stevia Original Liquid Extract which you can order on Amazon, or at your local health food store. If using, you'll need approx. 7 drops (instead of the 1/4 tsp. powder).
Adapted from Dr. Schulze
The best part about it is all of the questions I get since I drink this out of a mason jar. Who knew it was so interesting to so many people? It honestly doesn’t look that strange to me, yet it turns more heads than you can imagine. We opt for the mason jar because since the drink is acidic we don’t want it leaching any chemicals from plastic bottles. So our preference is drinking from glass. I’ve gotten so used to it that it’s hard for me to drink anything from plastic anymore.
You can buy your liquid cayenne from your local health food store, but it’s pretty pricy. We buy ours online generally from Vitacost (which is where we buy a lot of our natural products like soap, deodorant, and toothpaste). Most often we are buying enough to not only get free shipping, but to also take advantage of extra discounts that they offer regularly. I know it sounds strange to add cayenne to your drink, but it is so delicious! I’m not generally a spicy fan but I love the extra kick that it gives, literally leaving me thirsty for more!
*If you’d like more information on the cleanse we did, feel free to contact me and I’d love to email you details!
Elizabeth
Where do the 3grams of fat come from in the nutrition information? And the 4gms of protein??
Hi Yvonne! Is there any benefit to the Stevia powder? I love everything about your recipe but that! Thinking it can be left out? Or do I need it to balance out the liquid cayenne?
Yvonne
The only reason we use it is to add a bit of sweetness, you’re certainly welcome to leave it out.
Gladine
Would I be able to use cayenne powder instead of the liquid cayenne? And if yes how much of the powder should I use?
Yvonne
You can, although I don’t recommend it – only because it won’t dissolve and it just sinks to the bottom.. so when you get to the last swallow, you’ll feel all the heat :) It’s OK in a pinch – but not preferred!
Kathy
so where do you find liquid cayenne?
Yvonne
You can buy your liquid cayenne from your local health food store, but it’s pretty pricy. We buy ours online generally from Vitacost (which is where we buy a lot of our natural products like soap, deodorant, and toothpaste). Most often we are buying enough to not only get free shipping, but to also take advantage of extra discounts that they offer regularly!
Dana
I would love information on your cleanse! I have enjoyed reading your blog!!!!
Yvonne
Thanks for reading! You can find all the information about it here: http://triedandtasty.com/ultimate-detox-resource/. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Jouan
I was wondering if you could use ginger instead of cayenne pepper, would it still be affective?
Yvonne
You could try ginger for sure, it wouldn’t be equivalent – but would have it’s own benefits!
Do you have to use maple syrup? I really do not like that flavor at all and was wondering if you know of any substitutes for it? Thanks!
Yvonne
Honestly you can’t really taste the maple syrup because it’s such a small amount – but if you would like a substitution, you could use honey!
Pegi
I’m interested in the cleanse you did.
Thanks! Pegi Reid
(please don’t sell my email to anyone)
Yvonne
I’ll email you the information! Rest assured, I won’t sell your email address… I’m not in to that :)
TJ
Hi Yvonne,
I know this is a crazy question, but is the lemonade drink all you consume for 2 weeks?
Yvonne
Ohmywordy, I’m so sorry that I haven’t gotten back to you sooner! That’s not a crazy question at all, I think there’s a ‘diet’ out there by Beyonce or someone that all they drink is this for two weeks.. that is NOT what I do! I simply replace my plan water for this lemonade! Helps me get my water intake with added health benefits. Let me know if you give it a try!
I think I’m going to try this! Really odd question- I’m nursing… do you think I should skip the cayenne? Not sure if baby likes spicy milk… haha.
Yvonne
Oh that’s a great question! I have no idea – I would guess if anything you could add it and only add a couple of drops. It will hardly be noticeable!
Cayenne? Does that adjust the flavor much?
Yvonne
It gives it a little kick, but easily adjustable. I don’t particularly like spicy things but I love the boost that it gives to the water!
Girl, your transformation is amazing! I’m curious to hear more!
Yvonne
Kristen! Thanks for stopping by.. and thank you so much for the compliment! It’s been a long journey, but hard work definitely pays off!
I’ve tried this before. it works. your pictures are so pretty!
Yvonne
Awesome Aly! Thank you so much :)
Laurie
I have been meaning to ask you about this since you mention it once in a while. I am so glad you posted it. My health coach suggested Chia seeds with large glass of warm water and juice of half a lemon every morning as a “detox” and I have been doing that for about 3 weeks now after breakfast. I think I will try this drink with the Chia seeds.
Laurie
So is it the juice from one lemon and one lime? Or are you putting the fruit through a juicer to get the nutrients out of the rind, peel, etc. Where does all the dietary fiber come from?
Yvonne
Oops! Minor detail, it’s the juice of one large lemon or two small limes.. I’ll adjust the recipe! We just use a citrus juicer to get all of the juice out and then discard the rind/peel. The nutritional value is just an estimate.. I don’t think that dietary fiber figure is correct :)
Yvonne
We have chia seeds that we use whenever we remember! They have such a fun consistency. If you try this lemonade with the chia, let me know how it is!
Laurie
I got the cayenne liquid about a week ago to finally try this. Yes, the chia seeds work, but not for sipping all day. I take 10-12 oz of the mixture and warm in the microwave, add 1 tsp of chia seeds, let sit for 10 minutes, and drink that on my way to work. Then I have the rest of the mixture to drink during the day. I also cut up the lemon/lime peel/rind/etc and add it to the water (be sure to wash your fruit well first), then when the mixture runs out, I just add water to the fruit and have flavored water all day and night, right up to bed time. This summer, I will probably add cucumber slices too.
I go to the dentist this Monday. I wonder what he will say about all this citrus and how to best keep it from wearing away at my enamel. In the long run it has to be better then all the sugary Coke or Pepsi I used to drink.
Yvonne
I like the idea of adding in the lemon and limes after they’ve been juiced. Never thought of doing that! I’ve been drinking this for over a year and my dentist has yet to say anything – hasn’t affected me yet! Way to go kicking the bad soda habit!
[email protected]
You can use a straw and then your teeth do not get the acid.
Yvonne
Great idea! I’m not generally a straw drinker – but it’s the perfect way to avoid all the aid! Thanks so much!
I haven’t ever done a cleanse either. How does the cayenne effect the taste of the drink? I love lemonade and lemon water, but struggle drinking enough water every day so I may have to try this!
Yvonne
It’s hard to explain until you try it. I know it sounds weird but for whatever reason it just totally works. You can control the spiciness by adding more or less drops depending on your preference. It does add a kick, but I think that’s what makes me crave this even more.. I love it! You should give it a try for sure!
I’ve never done a cleanse before but this lemonade cleanse sounds like a great start! The cayenne is interesting. Does the spiciness from it help the cleanse work better?
Yvonne
It is interesting right? The cayenne is supposed to increase circulation and boost your metabolism! I love the extra little kick!